KAISER Chiefs are the first headliners announced for the 2026 Wychwood Festival.

The event, which runs at Cheltenham Racecourse from May 29 to 31, has revealed the Leeds rockers will top the bill on the Saturday of night (May 30).

Wychwood is widely regarded as the start of the festival season, taking place across the final weekend of May.

The I Predict A Riot, Ruby and Every Day I Love You Less and Less rockers are set to continue the festival’s growth, after its biggest ever year in 2025, when the likes of James and Shed Seven performed at the Gloucestershire site.

Rickey Wilson, Kaiser Chiefs’ frontman, said: “Really looking forward to playing Wychwood next summer. Any festival that puts us top of the bill must have excellent taste so it bodes well.

“The summer is when we thrive, we are good at festivals and if you haven’t seen us before it’s a strong recommend. If you have seen us before then we hope to see you.”

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Festival director, Graeme Merifield said the Chiefs were a “special” way to start announcing acts and attractions at Wychwood.

“After such an incredible milestone year in 2025, we wanted to come back with something really special and a first for Wychwood,” he said.

“Announcing Kaiser Chiefs as our Saturday headliner for 2026 feels exactly that.

“They’re a band that knows how to unite a crowd and bring pure joy to a festival field so I know this will be a moment to remember.

Wychwood Festival 2026 runs from May 29 to 31 at Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire

“I can’t wait for us to reveal more names soon, and welcome everyone to the racecourse at the start of next summer – I predict the 20th edition will be another fun-filled record-breaking year together.”

Wychwood has won numerous awards as a family-friendly festival, with a mix of new, emerging and top-tier talent on the bill.

People can sign up for Priority Tickets, available from 10am on Thursday (October 16), before General Tickets go on sale at 10am the following day. For more details on Wychwood Festival 2026 and to buy tickets, log on to wychwoodfestival.com/buy-tickets.

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